By A Correspondent – On 12 January, tragedy struck Zaka District after two dams in the Chipinda area burst their banks following days of relentless rainfall.

The sudden surge of water washed away the Chipinda and Mutakaya bridges, cutting off key transport routes and forcing villagers to travel a 60km detour to reach homes barely 2km away. Although no lives were lost, the floods destroyed gardens and farmlands, threatening food security and livelihoods in the affected communities.

In response, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, working with local authorities, issued urgent warnings to downstream communities, advising residents to avoid crossing the Chiredzi River due to unstable banks and unpredictable currents. Parents were urged to keep children away from the river, while livestock owners were cautioned against allowing animals to graze near flood-prone areas.

The Zaka incident is part of a wider pattern of extreme weather. Since November 2025, persistent heavy rains have triggered flash floods across Masvingo, Manicaland, and Matabeleland provinces, resulting in loss of life and widespread damage to homes, schools, and critical infrastructure.

In Manicaland, the Newcastle Dam in Ward 7, Chipinge, is reportedly on the verge of collapse unless urgent remedial action is taken. Its failure could have consequences similar to the Bandama Dam collapse in 2025, which left seven people dead and caused extensive infrastructure damage.

According to reports from the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, the floods have also disrupted artisanal mining activities, a vital source of income for many households during the lean season. Waterlogged ground and erratic weather conditions have heightened safety risks, deepening vulnerability and poverty in affected areas.

The Green Institute and the Youth Empowerment and Skills Development Association (YESDA), both members of the Climate Action Coalition of Zimbabwe, have described the unfolding disasters as a stark wake-up call for urgent climate resilience measures. The Coalition continues to advocate for sustainable climate solutions by promoting climate awareness, educating communities on the causes and impacts of climate change, and emphasising preparedness for extreme weather events.

It also supports community empowerment through training in climate-smart agriculture, water conservation, and disaster risk reduction, while pushing for investment in stronger infrastructure and effective early-warning systems.
The collapse of dam walls and destruction of bridges in Zaka highlight the urgent need for coordinated action.

The Climate Action Coalition of Zimbabwe is calling on government agencies, the private sector, and communities to work together to implement sustainable climate solutions.

Through increased awareness, preparedness, and resilience, Zimbabwe can reduce the devastating impacts of climate change and safeguard lives and livelihoods.